Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence is a sentence in which two independent clauses are not joined properly.  You may notice a run-on sentence when:

i)  two main clauses are separated only by  a comma; as,
  •  Thida passed the exam she had studies hard.
  •  He got a flat tire, he could not come to class on time.

ii) no punctuation between two main clauses; as,
  •  Bora missed the test he failed the subject.
  •  She has won a scholarship she is so happy.

iii) two main clauses joined without a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
  •  Thida missed her mum so she went to visit her.
  •  They have saved money for long and they can buy a house now.


FIXING RUN-ON SENTENCES

You may fix the run-on sentences by using the methods below:

i) Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to join the independent clauses.

  •  Thida passed the exam, for she had studied hard.
  •  He got a flat tire, so he could not come to class on time.
  •  Bora missed the test, so he failed the subject.
  •  She has won a scholarship, and she is so happy.
  •  Thida missed her mum, so she went to visit her.
  •  They have saved money for long, and they can buy a house now.

ii) Use a semi-colon to join the independent clauses.

  •  Thida passed the exam; she had studied hard.
  •  He got a flat tire; he could not come to class on time.
  •  Bora missed the test; he failed the subject.
  •  She has won a scholarship; she is so happy.
  •  Thida missed her mum; she went to visit her.
  •  They have saved money for long; they can buy a house now.

iii) Use a semi-colon and a transitional expression to join the independent clauses.

  •  Thida had studied hard; as a result, she passed the exam.
  •  He got a flat tire; therefore, he could not come to class on time.
  •  Bora missed the test; hence, he failed the subject.
  •  She has won a scholarship; moreover, she is so happy.
  •  Thida missed her mum; thus, she went to visit her.
  •  They have saved money for long; furthermore, they can buy a house now.

iv) Make one of the independent clauses dependent.

  •  Thida passed the exam because she had studied hard.
  •  As he got a flat tire, he could not come to class on time.
  •  Since Bora missed the test, he failed the subject.
  •  After she has won a scholarship, she is so happy.
  •  When Thida missed her mum, she went to visit her.
  •  Because they have saved money for long, they can buy a house now.

v) Separate the independent clauses into sentences.

  •  Thida passed the exam. She had studied hard.
  •  He got a flat tire. He could not come to class on time.
  •  Bora missed the test. He failed the subject.
  •  She has won a scholarship. She is so happy.
  •  Thida missed her mum. She went to visit her.
  •  They have saved money for long. They can buy a house now.